Each week, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Chris Doerre casts his eye over the country's best junior footballers to give readers an early insight into the next generation of AFL stars.
As well as attending live games, Doerre pores through match vision, analyses the stats and talks to industry sources to ensure he can offer the most insightful draft analysis.
Aside from the weekly wraps, Doerre will also unveil his power rankings at the end of each month and as we get closer to November's national draft, Doerre will also predict who goes where with his annual phantom draft.
Player Focus
Able to hold his head high for Gold Coast in a steep loss to Eastern, Connor Budarick only enhanced his draft credentials.
It was the tackling and pressure Budarick applied around the ground that made him stand out from his peers. He laid aggressive tackles, chased and harassed opponents around the ground with a high level of effort and energy.
The promising Gold Coast Academy prospect secured 27 disposals, 14 contested possessions, six marks, 16 tackles and five inside 50s.
While Budarick's tackling is what sets him apartment from his peers, he should be viewed beyond that as someone who more broadly makes winning plays. Budarick best showcased this when he aggressively crashed a pack across half-forward to prevent an opponent taking an intercept mark - a rare feat for someone measuring at 176cm, 76kg. This allowed his teammate, who was front and centre, to win the ground ball and launch a meaningful forward drive, resulting in a shot on goal.
A potential first round selection, the play of Budarick most closely resembles Essendon's Devon Smith as a midfielder and forward who like Smith can become one of the competition's premier pressure players and tacklers.
If Budarick can hit the scoreboard more heavily and add greater hurt-factor to his kicking while continuing to build on his strengths, he can develop into one of this draft's best talents.
NAB League
Providing a force at stoppages, Zakery Pretty not only impressed for Eastern with his ball winning but work at ground level, distribution by hand and decision-making under pressure. Placing among Eastern's best players in each of his first four games this season, the ball-winning midfielder amassed 37 disposals, 21 contested possessions, five tackles, eight clearances, seven inside 50s, one goal and two score assists.
Providing a threat at ground level and athletically leading up at the ball, Jamieson Rossiter was Eastern's most dangerous forward with 12 disposals, three contested marks, 10 contested possessions and three goals.
Gold Coast underager Max Pescud demonstrated glimpses of AFL talent and football smarts. His most impressive play was moments before getting tackled, punching the ball, directing it to a teammate who was on his own and had the time and space to deliver the ball to an open target up the field. Pescud played a strong all-around game, winning 50/50 ground balls, one-on-one contests, moving evasively, using the ball cleanly and reading the drop of the ball. The academy prospect secured 23 disposals, 12 contested possessions, four clearances and five inside 50s in a showing that suggests he should be on the draft radar in 2020.
Playing a significant midfield role for Northern in their win against Bendigo, Josh D'Intinosante led the way with 30 disposals, 18 contested possessions, six marks, eight tackles, six inside 50s, one goal and two score assists.
Generating a lot of drive for Northern, particularly early, Lachlan Potter provided his trademark outside run and dare with 27 disposals and seven marks.
Pushing up into the top-10 draft conversion, Ryan Byrnes just about took Brisbane apart by himself. He looked a class above for Sandringham, winning first possession at stoppages and hurting the opposition with his acceleration and skills. The damaging midfielder managed 26 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven clearances, seven inside 50s, one goal, two score assists.
Impacting the game with every touch, Miles Bergman moved the ball on quickly and was damaging for Sandringham with 17 disposals and eight marks.
Brisbane's most competitive in their loss to Sandringham, Will Martyn was industrious through the midfield, collecting 33 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 10 marks, six tackles, five clearances and six inside 50s.
Providing a focal point up forward, Hamish Ellem led Sydney Academy in their win against Murray. The strongly built key forward posted 22 disposals, nine marks, three goals and two score assists. Leading the way for Murray through the midfield, Cameron Wild stood out with his ball winning and clean skills. The prolific ball winner gathered 28 disposals, 14 contested possessions, five marks, four clearances, seven inside 50s, one goal and three score assists.
Key defender and Calder captain Brodie Newman was dominant in his side's win against Western, intercepting everything that came his way. In a clear best on ground display, Newman amassed 36 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 17 marks (two contested) and seven rebound 50s.
Doing his best work at stoppages, Daniel Mott was Calder's most prolific through the midfield with 29 disposals, 11 contested possessions, eight tackles and six clearances.
Greater Western Sydney overage key defender Nicholas Murray secured 21 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 10 marks (four contested) and eight rebound 50s in his side's nine-point loss to Gippsland.
Continuing his strong vein of form through the midfield, Jay Rantall led the way for Greater Western Victoria Rebels in their convincing win against Northern Territory with 27 disposals, 11 contested possessions, five tackles, six clearances and two goals.
Performing strongly for Northern Territory through the midfield with his lively tackling a highlight, Ben Jungfer continued his consistent midfield efforts. Jungfer managed 28 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 10 clearances and six inside 50s.
Playing a leading role for Dandenong in their win against a weakened Oakleigh -- which had many of their better players on school football duties -- classy midfielder Ned Cahill collected 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions, five inside 50s, three goals and two score assists.
Impacting the game heavily through the midfield, Josh Honey impressed with his ball winning, composure in traffic and ball use for Western in their convincing win against Tasmania. The damaging midfielder managed 25 disposals, nine marks, six clearances, five inside 50s and two goals.